Knitting

Patterns, projects and techniques

Herrschners to Distribute Big Twist Yarn

by

One of the biggest worries I’ve seen from people with the in-progress closing of Joann craft stores is the loss of Big Twist yarn. Big Twist is a private label yarn that was sold exclusively at Joann (though you can find some colors on Amazon at huge markups). Many crafters like it as their go-to low-cost acrylic yarn because it’s softer than Red Heart Super Saver but similarly came in a wide range of colors, as well as some prints and themed colorways.

There had been a rumor that the yarn was made by Spinrite/Yarnspirations and that they would start making it under one of their own labels such as Caron or Red Heart, but Marly Bird debunked that rumor.

Herrschners has announced that they “will soon be carrying” Big Twist yarn, “bringing you an even wider selection of colors and textures for all your knitting and crochet projects,” according to a statement on their website. No timeline is mentioned but they do suggest signing up for email alerts so you’ll know when the yarn is available.

In case you don’t know this company already, Herrschners is a needlework company that got its start in the late 1800s in Chicago. It has been a catalog company for more than 125 years (and I’ll still get their catalogs in the mail from time to time) and of course now they also sell online. The company is currently based in Stevens Point, WI.

They sell yarn and notions for knitting and crochet as well as needlepoint, latch hook, plastic canvas and other crafts. Since we’re talking about yarn, they carry well-known brands like Red Heart, Caron, Premier and Lion Brand, but also have their own private label brand of yarn. Their Supreme Worsted is probably the closest to a Big Twist option that they currently have.

I know a lot of knitters and crocheters will be relieved to have Big Twist as an option in the future. It’s not quite as convenient as running to your local store to grab a ball when you need it, but at least it will still be available!

[Photo via Joann]

Next Pattern:

Have you read?

Knits with Sheep

It felt like it had been a while since I’d done a roundup of knitting patterns involving sheep, and if search is any indication, that is true. I found a roundup of patterns for knit sheep from a few years ago, but the only one with v I could find is from 2015. So it’s definitely time to revisit this fun genre of knitting patterns.

This all started with a headband. Alyssa Kaat’s Icelandic Sheep Headband (free on Ravelry) to be specific. Ravelry showed it to me as a pattern highlight and I couldn’t resist taking a closer look. It’s worked with two colors of worsted weight yarn and alternates sheep with stars around your head.

Another great sheepy headband is this one from Loch Fyne Crafts on Etsy. These sweet little sheep are worked in bulky yarn and you can make the background look like field and sky or work it in a solid color.

Or make a headband (or a hat, cowl, or all three) covered with a flock of sheep with this set of patterns from New Age Knitting CA. These pieces also use the field/sky coloring, but you can use whatever colors of worsted weight yarn you like.

Speaking of hats, there’s also the sheep hat from Lynann Knits Designs. The sample was worked in Icelandic wool to make the sheep and the hat extra fuzzy and warm, but any worsted weight yarn will work.

There’s also the Wandering Sheep hat from Kat Hudon (on Ravelry), which features a fun collection of speckled sheep that can be worked in different yarn weights to make different sizes of hats for kids and adults.

And lest you think sheep need to be knit in traditional stranded colorwork, check out the Rebel Sheep Mob blanket by Deborah Moore. This one is worked in mosaic knitting using fingering weight yarn. In mosaic knitting you’re only working with one color per row so it’s pretty easy. You can find this pattern on Ravelry.

I can’t possibly share sheep knitting patterns without mentioning the amazing Black Sheep Shadow Shawl by Mark Jamieson. Shadow knitting is a technique I want to do more of, but it involves working two rows alternating in two different colors and the pattern emerges when you look at the design from an angle. It’s so cool and the sheep on this one are amazing! It’s not a beginner project but well worth the work. You can find it on Ravelry or at the designer’s website.